ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Breaking the Chain of Covid 19 infection - Bhosi village of Nanded district shows the way
Mumbai | Nanded : May 20, 2021
Fresh challenges are being posed with the second wave of Covid 19 pandemic spreading to rural areas. Even Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has warned about this and said “creating awareness about Covid 19 among rural people and cooperation of Panchayat Raj institutions are equally important”.
Preventing the spread of Covid 19 in rural is a relatively complicated process due to the lack of testing facilities and health infrastructure, as compared to urban areas. However, Bhosi, a village of 6,000 people in the Bhokar Taluka of Nanded district has showed the way of fighting the Covid 19 pandemic by simply adopting the path of isolation.
Two months ago, after a wedding ceremony, a girl of the village was found infected with Corona virus. Five more patients were found the following week, which led to a commotion in the whole village.
At this time, the Zilla Parishad Member Prakash Deshmukh Bhosikar took the initiative to organize a health camp in the village in coordination with the Gram Panchayat and the Health Department to conduct Covid tests. Rapid Antigen Test and RT-PCR tests that followed revealed that 119 people were Covid 19 positive.
It was decided to isolate the patients to break the chain of Covid 19 spreading to others. Accordingly, all the infected people were persuaded to go and live on their fields for a period of 15-17 days, as mandated by the guidelines of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for people with mild infections. Farm labourers and others who did not own farms, were accommodated in a make shift 40’ x 60’ shed on Bhosikar’s own farm.
Ashatai, the village health worker and Anganwadi sevika would visit the fields everyday and interact with patients. Food and medicines were also provided on the spot. Nearly, everyone cooperated. After 15 to 20 days of isolation, the villagers returned home as corona-free persons only after a health check-up.
Bhosikar says “a month and a half has passed since then and no new patient has been found in the village. Covid can be fought effectively by adopting the age-old path of isolation - as was being done during the days of plague - even in villages without adequate health facilities”.
“Separation is the only way to save the villagers from getting infected” says Lakshmibai Akkemwad, who spent a fortnight in quarantine on the fields.
Nanded Zilla Parishad CEO Varsha Thakur Ghuge said that the Bhosi pattern is a good example of joint coordination between the villagers, people's representatives and the administration, worthy of implementation in other villages of the district and elsewhere.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDENTS FROM MARGINALISED AND SC/ST COMMUNITIES
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment implements two National Overseas Scholarship  schemes. One is implemented by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment under which financial assistance is provided to selected students from Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans for pursuing Masters and Ph.D level courses abroad. The other is implemented by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities  under which scholarship is provided to the selected students with disabilities for pursuing Masters and Ph. D level courses abroad. Similarly, Ministry of Tribal Affairs is also implementing NOS Scheme for students belonging to ST communities.
The total expenditure during the last five years under the three National Overseas Scholarship schemes for students from marginalised communities is Rs. 100.62 Crore.
A total of 3244 applications were received over the past five years from students under the three schemes of National Overseas Scholarship mentioned in response to part  of the question. Out of these a total of 726 students have been awarded scholarships.
A total of 9794 students have been awarded scholarships under the Top Class Education Scheme for SC students over the last five years, and an expenditure of Rs 179.62 Crores has been incurred under the scheme during the period.
This information was given by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri. A. Narayanaswamy in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Cabinet approves proposal for Grant of Organized Group ‘A’ Service  to Group ‘A’ Executive Cadre Officers
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for Grant of Organized Group ‘A’ Service  to Group ‘A’ Executive Cadre Officers of Central Armed Police Forces  and extension of benefit of Non-Functional Financial Upgradation  and Non-Functional Selection Grade .
Benefits:
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This would result in grant of NFFU to eligible Group ‘A’ Executive Cadre Officers of CAPF; and
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The decision would also benefit Group ‘A’ Executive Cadre Officers of CAPF for availing the benefit of NFSG at an enhanced rate of 30% as per guidelines.
Background:
Several Writ Petitions were filed in Delhi High Court by Group ‘A’ Executive Cadre Officers of CAPF for grant of OGAS status and consequential benefits of NFFU and NFSG. Delhi High Court vide orders dated 3/9/2015 and 15/12/15 treated the Group ‘A’ Executive Cadre Officers of CAPFs as belonging to OGAS and directed for granting NFFU and NFSG to them. The Special Leave Petitions filed by the Union of India and Others against the orders of Delhi High Court were dismissed by Supreme Court on 5/2/19. It upheld the judgement and orders of Delhi High Court for grant of NFFU and NFSG to Group ‘A’ Executive Cadre Officers of CAPF.
Ministry of Railways
For the first time Indian Railways loads Special Parcel Train to Bangladesh
Railways focusing on efficient and customised freight operations
Dry Chillies from Reddipalem Transported to Benapole 
For the first time the Indian Railways, loaded special Parcel train beyond the country borders to Benapole in Bangladesh with Dry Chillies from Reddipalem in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh state.
Guntur and its surrounding areas in the state of Andhra Pradesh are well known for Chillies cultivation. The quality of this farm produce is internationally renewed for its uniqueness in taste and brand. Earlier, the farmers and merchants in and around Guntur area have been transporting Dry Chillies by road to Bangladesh in small quantities and that was costing around Rs 7000 per tonne. During the lockdown period, they could not move this essential commodity by Road. Then Railway staff and Officials approached the consignors and explained the facilities to transport by Rail. Accordingly, they have moved the Dry Chillies by Rail in bulk through goods trains. But for moving the consignment by Goods trains, it is mandatory for the farmers and merchants to mobilise the quantity in bulk i.e. at least more than 1500 tonnes in each trip.
To mitigate this problem and to facilitate the Rail users to move their quantities in smalls i.e., up to a maximum of 500 tonnes in each trip, Guntur Division of South Central Railway took the initiative and moved the Special Parcel Express to Bangladesh. This has helped the farmers and merchants of Guntur to market their farm produce beyond the country border by transporting the Dry Chillies in small quantities through Special Parcel Express.
Accordingly, one Special Parcel Express train consisting of 16 Parcel Van moved to Benapole in Bangladesh. Each Parcel Van was loaded with 466 Dry Chillies bags, weighing around 19.9 Tonnes and the total weight carried by the Special Parcel Express is around 384 Tonnes. The cost per tonne for carrying by Special Parcel Express is Rs. 4,608 and which is very cheap and economical as compared to Road transport which is amounting to Rs. 7,000 per tonne.
It may be noted that Indian Railways has taken a series of steps to boost parcel train traffic during the Covid period.
Transportation of essential items like medical supplies, medical equipment, food, etc in small parcel sizes are a very important items that needed for business as well as consumption purposes. In order to fill in this vital need, Indian Railways has made railway parcel vans available for quick mass transportation by E-Commerce entities and other customers including State governments. Railways has been running time-tabled Parcel Special trains on select routes, to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential items.
The total of 4434 parcel trains have run 22.03.2020 till 11.07.2020,out of which 4,304 have been time-tabled trains.
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Expert committee invites public comments on Non-Personal Data Framework
The Expert Committee on Non-Personal Data Governance Framework briefed media today, on various aspects of Data Governance - Non Personal through a virtual press conference. The briefing was chaired by Shri. Kris Gopalakrishnan, in the presence of other members of the committee. He along with other members of committee touched upon several emerging and innovative ideas on Non Personal Data such as attempts to give definition of Non-personal Data and the concept of community data and the appropriate rights and privileges over this data, defines three categories – Public, Community and Private, definition of a new concept called Data Business, Open access meta-data registers, Consent for anonymisation of data, sensitivity of Non-Personal Data, defined purposes for data sharing as sovereign purpose, core public interest purposes and economic purposes.
The committee also addressed queries of media on sharing of raw data and derived data, regulatory aspects of Non-Personal Data, harnessing the economic value of data and various legal aspects related to digital regulatory framework to promote the use of Non Personal Data to benefit Indian people and society.
The expert committee requested the media to encourage more and more stakeholders to participate in the ongoing consultation on draft report, where last date of providing inputs is 13thAugust, 2020. https://www.mygov.in/task/share-your-inputs-draft-non-personal-data-governance-framework/
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Ministry of Women and Child Development
The President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind addresses the joint sitting of two houses of Parliament
Govt has taken several steps to provide new opportunities for self-employment to women and to ensure equal participation in various fields, says the President
Under Mudra Scheme ~70% loans have been given to Women entrepreneurs
The President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind addressed the joint sitting of two Houses of Parliament, here today. The President, in his address, highlighted the various initiatives taken by the Central Government for women safety,toprovide them new opportunities for self-employment and equal participation in various fields.
In his speech, the President said, “It is a constant endeavour of my Government to ensure that benefits of entrepreneurship are availed by every section in the country. Under schemes like HunarHaat and USTTAD, not only the skills of lakhs of crafts persons are being developed but employment opportunities are also being generated. Under these schemes, women crafts persons comprise more than half of the beneficiaries. These crafts persons are being connected to the global market through e-haat”. He further said, “Women entrepreneurs have a vital role to play in building a self-reliant India. My Government has taken several steps to provide new opportunities for self-employment to women. Under the MUDRA scheme, more than 25 crore loans have been sanctioned so far, of which nearly 70% have been given to women entrepreneurs”.
The President said, “ Under DeendayalAntyodaya Yojana - Rashtriya Grameen Ajeevika Mission, more than 7 crore women entrepreneurs have become a part of the network of nearly 66 lakh Self Help Groups in the country. These women groups have been provided bank loans worth Rs 3,40,000 crore in the last 6 years”.
He said, “Keeping in mind the health concerns of working women in rural areas of the country, the Government is implementing the ‘Suvidha’ scheme under which sanitary napkins are made available at a nominal cost of Re 1. My Government is relentlessly working towards protecting the health of infants and pregnant women through various initiatives like RashtriyaPoshanAbhiyaan, free check-ups and financial assistance to pregnant women. As a result of this, the Maternal Mortality Rate has declined from 130 per lakh in 2014 to 113. The Under 5 Child Mortality Rate has also reduced to 36 for the first time, which is less than the world average rate of 39”.
The President said, “As my Government considers it important to ensure equal participation by women, it is providing new opportunities for our sisters and daughters in various fields. My Government has taken several decisions in this direction, such as appointing women in the Fighter stream of the Indian Air Force and the Military Police for the first time, as well as allowing women to work in underground and open cast mines during the night shift. Keeping in mind the safety of the women, work on several initiatives such as setting up One Stop Centres, National Database of criminals, Emergency Response Support System and Fast Track Courts across the country is progressing at a rapid pace.”
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets NDRF on their Raising Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the National Disaster Response Force  on their Raising Day.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Raising Day greetings to @NDRFHQ. They are making commendable efforts to assist people in the most challenging circumstances. Their bravery is admirable. India is making many efforts to strengthen disaster management apparatus including building disaster resilient infrastructure."
Prime Minister's Office
PM conveys best wishes to air warriors and their families on Air Force Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has conveyed his best wishes to air warriors and their families on the occasion of Air Force Day.
The Prime Minister posted on X:
“Best wishes to all air warriors and their families on Air Force Day. India is proud of the valour, commitment and dedication of the Indian Air Force. Their great service and sacrifice ensure our skies are safe.”
Ministry of Defence
DELIVERY OF FIFTH SCORPENE SUBMARINE ‘VAGIR’ TO INDIAN NAVY
The fifth submarine of the Project – 75, Kalvari Class submarines, Yard 11879 was delivered to the Indian Navy today, 20 Dec 22. Project – 75 includes indigenous construction of six submarines of Scorpene design. These submarines are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited  Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France. Launched on 12 Nov 20, Vagir commenced the sea trials from 01 Feb 22 and it is a matter of great pride that she has completed all major trials including the weapon and sensor trials in the shortest time in comparison to the earlier submarines.
Submarine construction is an intricate activity as the difficulty is compounded when all equipment are required to be miniaturised and are subject to stringent quality requirements. Construction of these submarines in an Indian yard is another step towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and enhances self-confidence in this field, a notable achievement is that this is the third submarine delivered to the Indian Navy in a span of 24 months.
The submarine would shortly be commissioned into the Indian Navy and enhance the Indian Navy’s capability.
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Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Achievements Under Skill Development Programme
Under the Skill India Mission, there are about 20 Central Ministries/Departments including Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship  involved in the implementation of more than 40 schemes for various skill development programmes to enhance the employment opportunities of the youth.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana  2016-20 is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship being implemented with an objective to provide skilling to one crore prospective youth under Short Term Training  courses and Recognition of Prior Learning  across the country for four years i.e. 2016-2020 with an outlay of Rs. 12,000 crore. As on 12.06.2019, 52.12 lakh   candidates have been trained under the scheme in the country.
Under PMKVY 2016-20, focus on employment has been significantly enhanced and candidates have been placed in various sectors and industries. Training Centers / Training Providers  are required to have dedicated mentorship-cum-placement cells for industry linkage and placement of candidates. TPs are mandated to organize Placement/Rozgar Melas every six months with support from the Sector Skill Councils  and to ensure the participation of local industry. Scheme also incentivizes TCs/TPs for facilitating placement of the trained candidates. Further, the reimbursement of last 20% of training payout to TCs is linked with the placement  of the candidate. Additionally, post placement support of Rs. 1500 per month per trainee is applicable for special group  and special areas  for 2 or 3 month post training depending on placement within or outside the district of the domicile of the candidate.
Due to the above mentioned initiatives, the reported placement under PMKVY 2016-20 is approximately 57%. Further, the third party impact evaluation of PMKVY 2016-20, conducted by independent body, has observed that 17% of the students enrolled under PMKVY 2016-20 prefer to go for higher studies than getting into employment.
Ministry has also undertaken various measures to encourage greater participation of industry in skilling ecosystem to improve employment outcomes. Employer led skill development is also being promoted to further improve placements rates under PMKVY 2016-20.
Under STT, the placement data is reported within 90 days of certification of trained candidate. As per data reported on SDMS , as on 12.06.2019, 24.56 lakh candidates are certified under STT of PMKVY 2016-20. The number of candidates certified under STT of PMKVY 90 days prior i.e. 12.03.2019 is 21.97 lakh. Out of these candidates, as on 12.06.2019, 12.6 lakh candidates have been reported to be placed in various sectors across the country.
This information was given in a written reply by the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri. R. K. Singh in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
A year after getting financial help from the Sports Ministry, UP Archer Neeraj Chauhan makes it to India’s Asian Games team
Nearly a year and a half after getting financial help from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports ’s Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons , Uttar Pradesh’s archer Neeraj Chauhan has made it to the Indian National Archery Team for the Asian Games.
What is more, Neeraj, who on Sunday finished in the top three positions of the ongoing Asian Games Selection Trials, will also get to represent India at the four World Cups and World Games that are set to take place later this year.
“The timely intervention at that time helped me and my family a lot and got me back to training for the future competition,” Neeraj said during a phone conversation.
Neeraj had first made news back in the year 2020 when during the COVID 19 lockdown his father, who at the time was the only earning member of the family had lost his job due to the pandemic. The sudden job loss had led to a huge financial crunch for the family, which had then forced Neeraj and his family to sell vegetables to make ends meet.
Their plight was then highlighted by Archery Association of India  president Shri Arjun Munda, who in a tweet had request the Sports Minister for his help. Following the same, Neeraj and his brother Sunil, who is a national boxer, were sanctioned financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each under the ministry’s Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund.
“Since getting the financial help, I was able to upgrade my Archery equipment to the one I am currently using during my training at SAI Sonepat, and also spend a little more money on diet, which I could not before,” Neeraj added.
When asked how he felt about making it to the national team, an ecstatic Neeraj said “I am very happy and excited that I made it to the Indian National team. My first international event would be the Asian Games, and now I will give my full energy to prepare for the event so I can win a medal there.”
The 2nd Phase of the Asian Games, World Games & World Cup Selection trials is currently on at Sports Authority of India  Sonepat. While the Recurve category of completion ended on Sunday, March 27th, the selection trials for the Compound category are currently on and will conclude on 30th March 2022.
Ministry of Defence
NAVY OPEN LASER AND BAHIA SAILING CHAMPIONSHIP – 2022
Indian Navy Watermanship Training Centre , Karwar conducted the Navy Open Laser and Bahia Sailing Championship – 2022 from 22 to 26 March 2022 under the aegis of Indian Naval Sailing Association . Yachtsmen and women from all three Commands of the Indian Navy viz., Western Naval Command, Eastern Naval Command and Southern Naval Command, seven INWTCs, Army Yachting Node  and Cadets from National Defence Academy honed and demonstrated sailing and watermanship skills in Karwar harbour. Nearly 50 participants took part in the event, competing in three different classes of boats to facilitate enhanced team spirit and instill leadership qualities amongst the participants. A sail parade by all participants was also conducted off Karwar on 26 Mar 22 to commemorate the 75th year of India's Independence ‘AzadikaAmritMahotsav’.
The championship was conducted in three different classes of boats namely Laser , Laser  and Laser Bahia and 36 races were conducted in a span of four days with 12 races for each of the three categories. The Chief Guest, Rear Admiral Atul Anand, Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area presented medals to winners in each of the three categories. He complimented the Naval Yachtsmen and women for setting high standards and displaying excellent sailing skills in the myriad weather conditions.
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